Private or Public Universities – Which Is Better?

I was doing a research recently on private universities in Nigeria and I was surprised that there are well over 30 private universities in Nigeria!

I can remember a time (not too long ago) when there were only a handful of private universities in Nigeria. In fact, many people needed a lot of convincing to opt for a private university.

The story is slightly different now.

Many students these days choose private universities when making a choice of institution. Still may others swear that public universities still churn out better quality graduates!

Sure, I agree that private universities have benefits like the absence of strike and easy access to lecturers, but are they really better especially in the quality of graduates?

How really do public and private universities compare with each other?



Let’s do some comparisons below and see how they perform.

Funding

The major difference between private and public universities is in how they are funded. Public schools are funded by the Government while private schools are funded by individuals and organizations.

Unfortunately, most Government funded universities have fallen into varying stages of decadence – with government falling behind on funding. On the other hand, private schools seem to be better funded which somewhat affects the quality of education there
Verdict: Private Universities Win This

Tuition
Funding affects tuition. And since private universities are privately funded, they are obviously more expensive. Tuition in private universities is approximately 9-10 times higher than it is at a public university. Some people even attest that the tuition can build a comfortable 2 bedroom apartment!

This makes them inaccessible to lower class families (except they get a scholarship).

Verdict: Public Universities Win This

Prestige
Just the word ‘private’ gives the impression of exceptionalism and prestige. Private is exclusive and it’s not for everyone. Students in private universities carry a sense of being in a better situation than their public counterparts.

Is this really an advantage? Some people think so.

Verdict: Private Universities Win This

Strike Action
Except you live under the rock, you must have heard of the numerous strike actions by academic and non- academic staff of public universities.

Academic staffs go on strike so frequently that a four year course ends up lasting for 6 years (that is if you are lucky).

It was in the wake of these issues (which seemed to defy all solutions) that parents started seeking better alternatives – fueling the private universities ‘business’. So far, I have not heard of any academic staff strike in a private university (though I may be wrong)

Verdict: Private Universities Win This

Ease Of Getting Admission
Try getting into any of the ‘ivy league’ public universities (Like UI, Unilag or Ife) to read a good course, and you will realize that you have to pass Jamb very well!

Private universities on the other hand even have admission options that automatically accept students to read certain courses! They have made getting into the university so easy that the rigor required to get into a public school is being ‘looked down on’

In my opinion, students need to ‘sweat’ a little to gain University admission, so they can value it!

Verdict: Public Universities Win This.

Lecturer/Student Relationship
Students in private universities generally build stronger, more personal relationships with their lecturers as there are avenues designed to increase communication and dialogue between them.

This generally does not happen in public universities.

Lecturers in the private schools seem to owe the students the duty to be available to them, unlike in the public schools. This increase in communication may lead to a better learning environment

Verdict: Private Universities Win This.

Developing Independence and Street Wisdom
Public universities expose students to the real world in terms of the hustle and bustle of everyday life unlike private universities that consist of semi–spoilt children who are literally spoon-fed.

They are so pampered (I hear some schools even do their laundry for them) that they may find it difficult to blend into the real world when they graduate.

Some might argue this point, claiming that they need time to study, etc but what sort of backbone would they be developing being treated this way. These are undergraduates who should be growing into adulthood!

The rules in some private universities are so ‘childish’ that it underscores the joy and essence of being in University. This is the stage in their lives where they need to become very independent as they transition to adulthood.

Verdict: Public Universities Win This.

Curriculum and exams
The curriculum of private universities may not be as rigorous or difficult as the public universities. And to make matters even worse, there are rumors that lecturers in some of the ‘well known’ private universities have been given a mandate to ensure all their students pass. Where is the incentive for the students to study?

If you were such a lecturer, what would you do? Little wonder there is a flurry of first class graduates from these universities!

No such sentiments exist in the public universities – lecturers have no qualms failing you if you don’t sit up. That is why students who desire first class and second upper in the public universities go through so many rigors to study. No wonder they are usually preferred by some employers.

Verdict: Public Universities Win This.
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Size and Degree Offerings
Another difference between private and public universities is their size and the number of degrees they typically offer. Private colleges tend to be smaller than public universities and may not offer the full range of available courses.

Students who want a wider choice of courses can only find them at public universities. In public universities, undergraduates will be enrolled in academic programs ranging from traditional liberal arts to highly specialized professional courses (like Medicine and Engineering). Private universities may not be equipped enough to offer Medicine or Engineering courses

Verdict: Public Universities Win This

Learning Conditions
The class-size of public universities is a real problem. At public universities, the students are so many that they even spill outside the lecture hall, with students sitting on the floor, window frames and even on the lecturers table!

How easy can it be to actually learn under these conditions?

Students here have to work exceptional hard to succeed. Some lecturers do not even attend class (with no consequences) and even those that show up may not have much to offer – they are mostly interested in selling their handouts!

Students in private universities are hardly faced with issues like these.

Verdict: Private Universities Win This

So, Public or private university – which will it be?

You need to consider every factor in making a decision.

Identify your goals, your course of study, costs, culture, and environment before choosing between a public and private university.

Note that whether you go public or private, your chances in the job market are basically the same (though I hear some employers still prefer graduates from public universities). So whether you have spent millions or thousands of Naira getting educated may not matter in the job market!

Private or public, a lot depends on the individual and on how willing they are to get a quality education.

Or don’t you agree?

Public or Private University: Which Is Better?

Source: SchoolNews.Com.Ng

Nice Analysis but it must be noted that no private university has been able to build a teaching hospital. Even Madonna uses the govt hospital to lecture their medical students. Same as Igbinedion. As for prestige I disagree. Student s of renouned institutions like Unilorin, Ib nd Ife have greater prestige than most private schools.

To me I give it to public university not all though because they are also categorised. I have been opportuned to meet and work with some graduates of some private universities and I can say that I am disappointed at their disposition and output.well, some of them are good in playing and twisting English verbally but I am not rating based on that. @ ops, your comments paragraph on Curriculum and exams say a lot which I am also aware of long before now. I just think some of these private universities are profit driven and out to sell their brand by making sure none of their students spend more than stipulated period on their course of study not minding whether they pass or not.

At the long run, private university can be better if our system ensures that private universities play by the rule one hundred percent. I believe without any doubts that majority of private uni in Nigeria buy their way through before they are established.

Private

Which kind of dumb question is this?

Can u compare compare human being with a robot?

Public universities have the highest opportunity to get anything they want except the government fails to do it.

Private Owners can die; Government do not die.

Poor comparism. In Nigeria? Public! In the states? Private!

Wonderful analysis.
Although it depends on the country; in Nigeria public universities are better suited for the environment.